Wafer switch having quick release connector



24, 1964 R. H. SEMENOFF ETAL 3,153,050

WAFER SWITCH HAVING QUICK RELEASE CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 2, 1961INVENTORS. ROBERT H. SEMENOFF WILLIAM. J DONAHUE United States PatentNavy Filed Nov. 2, 1 261, Ser. No. 149,792 8 Claims. (til. 39--L5(Granted under This 35, US. Code (1952), see. are

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

The subject invention generally relates to electric switches and moreparticularly, to an electrical switch which serves the dual purposes offunctioning both as a switch and as a quick release connector. Thesubject switch is further characterized in that it includes two spacedapart electrical contact members having a removable non-electricallyconductive member positioned therebetween. In addition, one of the aboverecited contact members is formed as a plug-in type jack and containswithin it a spring biased member which is adapted to electrically engagethe other contact when the electrically non-conductive member iswithdrawn from between the contacts.

In addition to performing the functions of a switch as well as those ofa disconnector, the instant switch can be fabricated at extremely lowcost due to the few number of parts which can be easily assembled andretained in position by several bolts or rivets or other Well knownsecuring means.

FIG. 1 is a simplified side elevaticnal view of the switch incombination with a Weapon release system wherein the weapon is shown asbeing in its secured position and the switch is in its inactive state;

FIG. 2 is a simplified side elevational view showing the weapon in itssemi-released position and the switch in its active state;

FIG. 3 is a simplified side elevational View showing the weapon in itsfully released position and the switch in its disconnected state;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational View of the switch assemblyshowing the adaptor plug and a portion of the weapon in cross-section;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged end View of the switch, partly incross-section, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side View of the switch taken along line 66of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 1 through 3 show the switch in one possible application wherein itserves to electrically connect an umbilical cord iii to weapon 11 whichis to be launched from an aircraft release rack 12 having conventionalrelease arms 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the weapon 11, which may be a bomb or torpedo orother piece or ordnance to be drop ed from an aircraft, is structurallysecured to the rack 12 by means of releasing arms 33 and is electricallyconnected to an armin system (not shown) through switch 20, plug 14 andumbilical cord it) which has a minor exposed portion visible in FIG. 1.The major portion of umbilical cord lid is housed within cord housinglowherein it may be in a folded position or secured to a reel from whichit unwinds upon the physical release of the weapon ill by arms 13. Forobvious reasons, it is not desirable to have weapon ll in electricalcontact with umbilical cord it) when the weapon is in its securedposition as shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, switch 2%? is designed such thatit forms a positive obstruction in the 3,l58,% Patented Nov. 24., 1964circuit between cord 10 and the weapon ll until such time as the Weaponis released by arms 13 as shown in FIG. 2. in this position switch 2tfunctions as an electrical connector between cord lit and weapon it sothat the latter becomes armed only after it is physically separated fromthe aircraft. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, switch 2b furtherfunctions as a disconnector whereby the weapon becomes electrically aswell. as physically separated from the launching aircraft. It shouldthus be noted that switch Ztl remains with the aircraft for re use withthe next weapon load and that the launched weapon is unobstructed by anyswitch or contact means which might disrupt its passage through the airor through the water in the case of a torpedo or depth charge. Thephysical construction of switch it) will now be described in detail byreference to FIG. 5 which is an enlarged cross-sectional view of theswitch per se.

FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the subject inventionwherein numeral 21 designates a substantially disc-shaped housing memberwhich may be preferably composed of a light weight, electricallynonconductive plastic material such as an acetal resin, as for example,that known as Delrin. As further shown in FIG. 5, a plurality ofcontacts 22, 22 23 and 23' are secured to housing 21 by means ofintegral leaf springs 24, 2 3 25', and 25. Each of leaf springs 24, 24'and 25, 25 is rigidly secured to housing member 21 and electricallyconnected to each of the other springs by means of rivets 26 and 27respectively. Of course, it is to be understood that other securingmeans such as bolts, pins, or clamps may be used equally well in lieu ofthe rivets illustrated. The above recited contacts with their respectivelead springs and securing rivets obviously form a plurality ofelectrical paths or channels which are permanently connected and whichtherefore remain electrically conductive at all times. Such electricalpath or channels may, for example, comprise high voltage and low voltagecurrent paths having a common ground path afforded by centrally disposedcontact members 2 8 and 29 winch are secured to disc 21 by means ofrivets 15. Contact member 29 is further shown to be comprised of aplug-in type jack 30 having a central bore 31 which opens into anenlarged portion 32 containing an electrically conductive spring 33oneend of which bears against annular surface 34 and the other end of whichbears against head portion 35 of piston contact member 36. it willtherefore be apparent that an electrical path is provided by jack 3t),spring 33 and head 35, the latter of which is urged toward engagementwith corresponding contact member 28 but which is prevented from makingelectrical contact therewith.

by the inter-position of insulator tape 37 which may be of any thicknesswhich is sufficient to prevent electrical breakdown between head 35 andcontact 23. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, insulator tape3'7 may be composed of a high density polyethylene known commercially asMarlon-5003 which is a good insulator material and which is alsosemi-flexible such that it allows removal of the tape from slot 3% inhousing 2!; when a tensional force is applied to end 39 thereof. Inpractice it has been found that removal of tape 3'7 is greatlyfacilitated by providing a rounded portion as on the upper surface ofslot 38 since a right angle flexure of the tape is thereby avoided. ithas also been found desirable to provide means for insuring againstaccidental removal of the tape, or more importantly, partial removal ofthe tape to the extent that end portion 41 of tape 37 would remainwithin slot 355 but be positioned to the left of contacts 35, 23 so thatelectrical connection would result without the knowledge thereof. Forthis reason, pins 54, 55 may be inserted into housing 21 on either sideof slot 3b and a thin wire or thread as may be passed through of contactmember 28.

d a suitable bore in tape 37. In this manner, any partial withdrawal ofthe tape will be immediately evident and the tape may be properlyre-positioned before the insertion of the switch into the weapon systemas illustrated in FIG. 1. Furthermore, if desired, a quantity of sealingmaterial suitable for the purpose such, for example as silicone rubberpaste may be applied to the tape 37 sufiicient to effect a water tightseal between the tape and the switch 20.

From the foregoing description of FIG. 5, it will be apparent that whenweapon 11 is released by arms 13, the slack provided by links 17 and 18is taken up whereby tape 37 is withdrawn from slot 38 and thereafterremains suspended from and secured to rack 12 by means of a ring 40secured to link 17. Thus, in the position as illustrated in FIG. 2, tape37 has been withdrawn from slot 38 allowing spring biased head 35 toengage contact 28 thereby providing a ground path for both the high andlow voltage channels previously described. Once the appropriate fuzeelements (not illustrated) within weapon 11 have been activated by thesignals provided through the aforesaid channels, Weapon 11 has elongatedumbilical cord to its full extent and, thereafter, switch isautomatically removed from weapon 11 containing a suitable socket 51 forthe reception of jack 30. In this manner, weapon 1]. is first released,then armed, and then disconnected from'the arming circuit located withinthe aircraft. Since switch 20 remains connected to plug 14 and cord 10,the weapon may then proceed without any obstruction on the surfacethereof nor with any unnecessary weight as in the case of a switchprovided within weapon 11.

One manner of connection between switch 20 and plug 14 is shown in FIG.4 wherein high voltage lead 42 and low voltage lead 43 are shown toterminate in contact plates 44 and 45 respectively. Similarly, groundlead 46 is shown to terminate in threaded socket 47 which is adapted forengagement by threaded portion 48 In this manner, electrical as well asphysical connection is conveniently provided between switch 20 and plug14.

As further schematically shown in FIG. 4, contacts 22' and 23' areengaged by contact plates 49, St? and 7 jack is received in femalemember 51 all of which may be conveniently molded within weapon casing52. In addition, rubber seal ring 53 may be cemented to disc housing 21to thereby provide a dust and moisture free enclosure for contacts 22',49 and 23', 50.

p The foregoing disclosure has been directed to an embodiment of theinvention wherein it is desired to connect a plurality of electricalchannels between umbilical cord 10'and weapon 11, however, it is to beunderstood that the subject invention relates equally well to anenvironment wherein a single channel is to be established. In such anenvironment it is only necessary to replace contacts 22, 23, with asingle annular contact and similarly to replace contacts 22', 23' by asecond annular contact ring. Ln this form, it would obviously bedesirable to reverse the polarity of the contacts, that is, to connectcontact 28 and head portion to the high voltage side of the circuitthereby utilizing the annular contact rings as the ground side of thecircuit. In this manner the switch is positioned immediately adjacentthe weapon and thus there is no possibility of stray inductance effects,as for example those which might be produced by radar or othercommunication systems in the vicinity of the aircraft, from inducing acurrent flow through the high voltage line of the connectortherebyaccidentally arming weapon 11 prior to release by arms 13. From theforegoing disclosure it will be apparent that an extremely compact andfail safe switch has been provided wherein the switch performs the dualfunctions of a quick release connector and an electrical safety switchand which is so positioned with respect to the weapon as to preventpremature arming of the weapon by stray inductance effects.

While it is to be understood that the foregoing description has beenmade with reference to a preferred embodiment of the invention whichgives satisfactory results, numerous modifications and/or alterationsmay obviously be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention and it is intended, therefore, in the appendedclaims to cover all such modifications and alterations.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A weapon release and arming system comprising; means carried by anaircraft for supporting and releasing said weapon while the aircraft isin flight, electrical means for connecting said weapon to an armingsystem, said electrical means including an umbilical cord and a switchdisposed between said cord and said weapon, said switch includingremoveable insulator means permanently connected to the aircraftwhereby, upon release of said weapon by said releasing means, saidinsulator means is automatically withdrawn from said switch therebyactivating said weapon.

2. A system according to claim 1 including means for detachably securingsaid switch to the weapon.

3. A system according to claim 2 including means securing said umbilicalcord to the switch and to the aircraft in such manner that the switch isdetached from the weapon in predetermined time delayed relation afterthe weapon has been activated.

4. A combination switch and electrical connector comprising; a basemember, a first fixed contact means and second fixed contact meansmutually spaced and secured to said base member, engagement meansmovably connected to said first contact means for providing engagementwith said second contact means, flexible insulator means removablydisposed between said engagement means and said second contact means,and third and fourth spring bias contact means rigidly secured to saidbase member and permanently disposed in current conducting relationshipto each other.

5. A combination switch and electrical connector comprising; adisc-shaped base member having substantially a pair of planar surfaceportions disposed on opposite sides thereof, a first contact and secondcontact being mutually spaced and secured to said planar portionsrespectively of said base member, one of said contact means being formedin the shape of a plug-in type jack, engagement means moveably connectedto saidrfirst contact means for providing engagement with said secondcontact means, removable insulator means disposed between saidengagement means and said second contact means, and third and fourthspring bias contact means rigidly secured to said base member andpermanently disposed in current conducting relationship to each other.

6. A combination switch and electrical connector comprising; a basemember having a pair of substantially planar surface portions disposedon opposite sides thereof, a first contact means and a second contactmeans mutually spaced and secured to said planar portions respec-'tively, of said base member, removable insulator means disposed betweensaid first and second contact means, engagement means connected to saidfirst contact means including a movable portion which engages saidsecond contact means upon the removal to said insulator means, one ofsaid contact means being formed in the shape of a. plug-in type jack,and third and fourth spring bias contact means rigidly secured to saidbase member and permanently disposed in current conducting relationshipto each other. i

7. A combination switch and electrical connector comprising; a basemember having a pair of substantially planar surface portions disposedon opposite sides thereof, a first contact means and a second contactmeans mutually spaced and secured to said planar portions respectivelyof said base member, removable insulator means composed of asemi-flexible tape disposed between said first and second contact means,engagement means connected to said first contact means and including amovable portion which engages said second contact means upon the removalof said insulator means, one of said 6 gagement means and said secondcontact means, and third-and fourth spring biased contact means rigidlysecured to base member and permanently disposed in current conductingrelationship to each other, said flexible contact means being formed inthe shape of a plug-in 5 insulator means being permanently connected tothe airtype jack, and third and fourth spring bias contact means craftwhereby, upon release of said weapon by said releasrigidly'secured tosaid base member and permanently dising means, said flexible insulatormeans is automatically posed in current conducting relationship to eachother. withdrawn from said switch thereby activating said 8. A weaponrelease and arming system comprising; weapon.

means carried by an aircraft for supporting and releas- 10 ReferencesCited by the Examiner ing said Weapon while the aircraft is in flight,electrical UNITED STATES PATENTS means for connecting said weapon to anarmlng system,

said electrical means including an umbilical cord and a 783,399 2/05Blank 200*6L19 switch disposed between said cord and said weapon, said2,802,074 8/ 57 Pass 2O061-19 switch including a base member, a firstfixed contact 15 2,918,845 12/ 59 Fleming means and a second fixedcontact means mutually spaced and secured to said base member,engagement means FOREIGN PATENTS movably connected to said first contactmeans for pro- 522,285 4/31 Germany.

viding engagement with said second contact means, flexible insulatormeans removably disposed between said en- 20 BERNARD A. GILHEANY,Primary Examiner.

1. A WEAPON RELEASE AND ARMING SYSTEM COMPRISING; MEANS CARRIED BY ANAIRCRAFT FOR SUPPORTING AND RELEASING SAID WEAPON WHILE THE AIRCRAFT ISIN FLIGHT, ELECTRICAL MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID WEAPON TO AN ARMINGSYSTEM, SAID ELECTRICAL MEANS INCLUDING AN UMBILICAL CORD AND A SWITCHDISPOSED BETWEEN SAID CORD AND SAID WEAPON, SAID SWITCH INCLUDINGREMOVABLE INSULATOR MEANS PERMANENTLY CONNECTED TO THE AIRCRAFT WHEREBY,UPON RELEASE OF SAID WEAPON BY SAID RELEASING MEANS, SAID INSULATORMEANS IS AUTOMATICALLY WITHDRAWN FROM SAID SWITCH THEREBY ACTIVATINGSAID WEAPON.